What does Earth Day have to do with creating supernatural stories in this modern world? Where are the plot bunnies, magic and the variety of gifted & charmed characters?
They can be in your Kindle. ;)
I’ll be honest, I LOVE books. The paper kind. Long ago, I lost count of how many I own. But that doesn't mean I don't love my Kindle. That handy little device has an Earth saving 150 books on it. ;D
I’ll be honest, I LOVE books. The paper kind. Long ago, I lost count of how many I own. But that doesn't mean I don't love my Kindle. That handy little device has an Earth saving 150 books on it. ;D
Before I share some Aithne Secret Plot Bunnies, I'd like to give a little bit of historical perspective to this magical day.
Today is special and it all started back in 1962 when U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson, the “Father of Earth Day,” initiated his first environmental actions. Senator Nelson talked Pres. John F. Kennedy into touring the U.S. in support of saving our environment.
This first effort was unsuccessful and didn’t accomplish the desired change.
This first effort was unsuccessful and didn’t accomplish the desired change.
But Senator Nelson didn’t give up. On April 22, 1970, the time was right. The determined senator proposed the first National Earth Day. The reason for his proposal was "...to shake up the political establishment and force this issue onto the national agenda.”
Twenty million Americans joined forces to support the cause for a cleaner environment.
It's true that I don't usually post about political issues. That's why I prefer to focus on a gratitude aspect.
Today, April 22, 2012, I just wanted to say Thank You to those folk for beginning that important journey back in 1970. You started a movement that has continued into 2012. Pretty awesome. ;)
Now, back to supernatural stories inside your Kindle. ;)
One of the joys of writing is creating locales to place within the plot lines of my stories.
Honestly, I didn't realize this until I wrote the scenes in Concentric Circles. It's one of those times when 'write what you know' becomes a pivotal plot element.
The scenes I'm referring to grew from first hand experiences and take place at the Gorge Metro Park, 1160 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.
The Gorge Park still holds parts of my heart within its massive ice age carved stones and the rushing waters of Cuyahoga River even though I live in Florida.
I've spent many hours hiking through freshly fallen leaves, stood next to the water fall and also basked in the earthiness of Mary Campbell's Cave. (Mary Campbell was the first known 'white' person so far west.)
I've spent many hours hiking through freshly fallen leaves, stood next to the water fall and also basked in the earthiness of Mary Campbell's Cave. (Mary Campbell was the first known 'white' person so far west.)
During those Gorge Park mini-adventures, I didn't think ahead to when those precious moments would become part of a romance novel. But eventually the plot bunnies found me, wrangled my imagination and enticed the words through busy fingertips.
That's why I'm sharing this portion of Concentric Circles with Readers today.
I don't usually let secret CiaranLexiss (a very special character) out and journeying about the Internet, but today is an opportunity for a double serving of supernatural -- Mother Nature and an awesome talking artifact. Enjoy!
(Excerpt from Concentric Circles, chapter 14; The Gorge.)
Shayla inhaled deeply, pulling in the fall scents of the Gorge Park. She wanted to remember forever the way this place of such awesome beauty felt and smelled. Standing in Mary Campbell’s cave, brought back so many memories. It washed over her with the same power expressed by the falls below. Prior to her trip, she had felt the energies of the park and its glacier carved stones. Now, after the events in Glastonbury, she experienced their vibrations more deeply.
“DO NOT FEAR, PRETTY ONE. YE WILL BE HAPPY IF YE LET YERSELF BE.” CIARANLEXISS said from her boot.
Shayla sighed, looking around. They were alone. She couldn’t help it. Talking to an artifact still came over as more than a little insane. “I guess happiness seems elusive. How does someone leave their home with the possibility of never coming back?”
“YE WILL NEVER TRULY LEAVE. YE CAN ALWAYS COME BACK.”
“Humph.” Shayla began walking along the leaf blown trail, stepping around roots and large stones. “Humans have a saying. ‘You can never go back.’ It’s already different, CIARAN.” She decided the shortened name felt comfortable rolling off her tongue. “What am I going to tell mom? What about my friends? I could care less about my job. I can get a job anywhere.”
The trail steepened. Large boulders, small bushes and trees made the park one of the most interesting in the area. The oaks on either side of the foot trail, stood tall and strong, reflecting the timeless beauty of the landscape. The sound of water journeying down the steep slope in small streams to the Cuyahoga River added their whispers.
A chipmunk chattered at her fiercely for trespassing on his trail.
“Shh. I’m just passing through.”
Another hiker looked at her as though she were a loon.
She shrugged and continued on her way. Think that’s crazy? Try hearing and talking to a knife. By now she realized that CIARAN’s voice actually came from the sgian dhu, and was not inside her mind. Therefore, he had no way of knowing her thoughts. That proved to be something of a relief.
Crossing a small footbridge, she moved toward the high point of the trail. The carved sandstone all around hummed. She stopped briefly, placed her palm on the stone and allowed its vibrations to sweep over her. Up here, the path cut through two massive edifices in a narrow crevice.
Fallen leaves padded the sound of footsteps with both the silence of old nearly decomposed leaves and the rustling of fall’s newest contributions. The essence of nature surrounded her. The scent of the seasons pervaded her sinuses. A blue jay called raucously.
The memory of Meekal’s voice wafted over her. “Haven’t you ever heard a stone scream or purr?”
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Here's a pretty video if you'd like to see some fascinating views of our beautiful Earth. (Yes, I know it's from The Secret, but they offer a fine panorama of viewing pleasure.)
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Magically Entising: Is Your Shapeshifter Sexy today?
Mother, Daughter & Plot Bunny Tracks, Oh My! #amwriting
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Amazon Kindle: Concentric Circles (Shayla's story)
Amazon Kindle: Claire: the Lost Fae
Wyndy: in a Heartbeat ~ Short Story [here]
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Peace & Love be with you always.
Mother, Daughter & Plot Bunny Tracks, Oh My! #amwriting
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Amazon Kindle: Concentric Circles (Shayla's story)
Amazon Kindle: Claire: the Lost Fae
Wyndy: in a Heartbeat ~ Short Story [here]
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Peace & Love be with you always.
~ Aithne Jarretta
A lovely extract - you have such a way with words....
I didn't know the history of Earth Day...really interesting.
Hope you have had a lovely weekend :-)
Tanya
The day is getting better. ;) It's a very brief history, but I thought it intriguing because it showed Sen. Nelson's determination to put the legislation through.
Thanks for commenting. Hope your evening is grand!
~ Aithne